Tornado Watch Issued Friday Until 6 p.m.

Update: 2:00 p.m.: The National Weather Service discontinued the tornado watch for central North Carolina just before 2 p.m. Friday.

Campus Drive has been cleared of excess water, and the street is now open for vehicular traffic. Bus routes can now return to their normal routes along Campus Drive.

Update: 12:30 p.m.: Flooding remains an issue at the intersection of Duke University Road and Highway 751 (Cameron Blvd.) and is still closed to traffic.

Tornado Warning issued at 11:05 a.m.: Updates are now being posted to the DukeALERT website.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for much of central North Carolina, including Durham, Wake and surrounding counties for Friday until 6 p.m.

A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. 

In the event of a tornado warning, which indicates a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar, Duke officials will send a text and email notification to students, faculty and staff.  If the warning area includes Duke's main campus, the sirens will also be activated along with text and email notifications to direct individuals to seek shelter immediately.

During a tornado watch, the weather service suggests that people should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. For more information about Duke's emergency response plan for tornados, visit the Duke Emergency Management website.

A host of events and activities are planned on Duke’s main campus as part of commencement weekend. Officials have taken precautions around planned outdoor activities for this afternoon and evening.